Fred "Rerun" Berry Passed Away 10/22/03 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

whatshappeninfan · 10-22-2003, 07:53 PM

Just to let everyone know, Rerun died today. God Bless.

Dr. Thong · 10-22-2003, 08:15 PM

From E! online.com

Fred "Rerun" Berry Dead

by Joal Ryan
Oct 22, 2003, 3:25 PM PT

Fred Berry was well into his 20s when he was cast as a high schooler on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! Well into middle age, he was still playing the role.

Berry, who portrayed the beret-wearing, suspender-clad teen known as Rerun on the 1976-79 series and was rarely without his signature accessories during the nearly quarter-century since, was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment Tuesday, E! has learned. He was 52.

Berry's agent, Arlene Thorton, says the actor died in his bed sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The Los Angeles coroner is planning to perform an autopsy to determine cause of death. There were no signs of foul play, Thorton said.

Berry recently cameoed in the David Spade comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star and looked for love on E!'s Star Dates. According to IMDb.com, Berry was a veteran groom, marrying six times to four women.

He played himself in an episode of NBC's Scrubs last April. Per usual, he wore the Rerun red beret and the Rerun red suspenders.

Until recently, Berry had been one of the on-demand telephone friends for the new service HollywoodIsCalling.com.

"I bet you that I've made more calls than anyone on this service," Berry told the Washington Post in August.

Never able to shake the role that made him famous, Berry reprised his Rerun self in 1985-86 for the updated What's Happening!! series, What's Happening Now!

donald snl · 10-22-2003, 08:35 PM

we will all miss you thanks for being a part of our growing up

Pavan · 10-22-2003, 08:40 PM

This is crazy! Why are people dying in their '50s?? First John Ritter and Nell Carter, now Fred! All were shocking too. Rest in peace, Fred.

vashti1999 · 10-22-2003, 08:52 PM

Very sad and shocked to hear this. I've been enjoying the first season episodes a great deal with the recent dvd release. He definitely brought alot of life to that show and will be missed.

jcardenas · 10-22-2003, 08:55 PM

I just heard! God bless him. He was great!

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-22-2003, 09:05 PM

Rest in Peace Fred Barry you will be Missed by all your Fans
I just cant belive this First John Ritter and Nell Carter and Now Fred Barry.

Zoneboy · 10-22-2003, 09:08 PM

Actor Fred 'Rerun' Berry Dies at Age 52

Oct 22, 7:49 PM (ET)

By ANTHONY BREZNICAN

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fred Berry, the bulb-shaped, squeaky-voiced actor famous for playing red-beret-wearing Rerun on the 1970s TV sitcom "What's Happening!" has died at age 52, police said Wednesday.

Berry died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles of apparent natural causes, police Officer Jason Lee said. The county coroner was investigating the exact nature of the death, but friends said Berry had been in ill health due to a recent stroke.

He wore his red beret and suspenders in real life, and it was unclear whether he originally brought his own style to the character of Rerun or whether he was forever mimicking the character that made him famous.

Rerun was a 1970s version of latter-day goofball TV characters like Steve Urkel from "Family Matters": loud, a little whiny, a little dim and definitely geeky. "What's Happening!", which ran from 1976-1979, focused on three teenage friends - Rerun, Raj and Dwayne - who learn about life, women and trouble while growing up in Los Angeles.

Among the more famous episodes was one in which Rerun joined a bizarre cult and another in which he got busted for making bootlegged tapes of a Doobie Brothers concert.

The name Rerun, according to Berry, referred to the character's brainlessness: In the summer, he had to rerun all the classes he failed during the school year.

Berry's success on the show was clouded by his heavy use of marijuana and cocaine. "There were dealers right there in the studio, people that worked there," he said in 1996. "In the '70s, it was like that on a lot of TV shows. It was the Hollywood lifestyle then. Everybody was doing it."

By the time "What's Happening!" ended, Berry said he had blown more than a million dollars on drugs, cars, homes and an airplane. With no acting jobs heading his way, Berry tried to live off his fame by charging to appear at shopping malls.

Even later in life, he was still cashing in: lately, he earned money by calling fans on the telephone with the service www.HollywoodIsCalling.com. About $30 would earn a fan a 30 second call.

Berry's love life was another complication. He married a dancer while in his 20s, and the two divorced, remarried and divorced again. Berry repeated that performance with his second wife, whom he married and divorced twice (most recently in 1991). He also married and divorced two other women.

Rerun brought Berry another brief moment of success in 1985, when "What's Happening!" was revived as the syndicated "What's Happening Now!" Berry quit in a contract dispute after the first season and the show ended in 1987.

By 1986, Berry says, he abandoned drugs and started to speak at churches, schools and other groups, finally working as a minister in Madison, Ala., at the New Shiloh Church Ministry.

He was still dabbling in show business. Berry recently appeared on the TV shows "Star Dates" on the E! Entertainment Network, MTV's "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle" with Snoop Dogg and in a cameo role in the David Spade comedy film "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star."

Funeral services were unclear late Wednesday.

marvin g · 10-22-2003, 11:13 PM

Sad News!

Mr. Television · 10-22-2003, 11:17 PM

This is just crazy. I saw him this summer on E. Goodbye Rerun. R.I.P.

hoosierelvisfan · 10-23-2003, 08:38 AM

This is very sad and unexpected. 2003 has not been a good year for celebrities. It seems that so many have died this past year. What's Happening was definitely one of my favorite shows during its' original run. I used to watch it every week. Rerun definitely made that show. He had an awesome character.

Signed,
Respectfully,
Dutch

El_Presidente · 10-23-2003, 09:42 AM

Yeah bad..Bob Hope and Kate Hepburn. Ritter, Bronson, Gregory Hines, John Entwhistle, June Carter & Johnny Cash, Richard Simmons and now my fave sitcom actor ever.
Fred Berry. A sweet, loveable fellow.
I am kinda down now.

bobrod · 10-23-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by El_Presidente
Yeah bad..Bob Hope and Kate Hepburn. Ritter, Bronson, Gregory Hines, John Entwhistle, June Carter & Johnny Cash, Richard Simmons and now my fave sitcom actor ever.
Fred Berry. A sweet, loveable fllow.
I am kinda down now.

Richard Simmons?!!! He's not dead!!! And John Entwistle died last year!

Bob

El_Presidente · 10-23-2003, 10:55 AM

Man I am sorry, Mr Entwhistle died last year. Correct.
In re: Richard Simmons: One can dream, can't one?

hoosierelvisfan · 10-23-2003, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Bob Hope and Kate Hepburn. Ritter, Bronson, Gregory Hines, John Entwhistle, June Carter & Johnny Cash

Also Buddy Epsen (Beverly Hillbillies) and Donald O'Connor (Francis the Talking Mule); Also, I just heard this morning that Jack Elam died. He was in MANY westerns, both movies and television.

Signed,
Respectfully,
Dutch

10-22-2003, 07:53 PM	#1
whatshappeninfan Member First Time Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 1	Rerun Passed Away 10/22/03 Just to let everyone know, Rerun died today. God Bless.

10-22-2003, 08:40 PM	#4
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	This is crazy! Why are people dying in their '50s?? First John Ritter and Nell Carter, now Fred! All were shocking too. Rest in peace, Fred.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

10-22-2003, 08:52 PM	#5
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Very sad and shocked to hear this. I've been enjoying the first season episodes a great deal with the recent dvd release. He definitely brought alot of life to that show and will be missed.
	__________________ .

10-22-2003, 09:05 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Rest in Peace Fred Barry you will be Missed by all your Fans I just cant belive this First John Ritter and Nell Carter and Now Fred Barry.
	__________________ Who Dat

10-22-2003, 09:08 PM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	Actor Fred 'Rerun' Berry Dies at Age 52 Oct 22, 7:49 PM (ET) By ANTHONY BREZNICAN LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fred Berry, the bulb-shaped, squeaky-voiced actor famous for playing red-beret-wearing Rerun on the 1970s TV sitcom "What's Happening!" has died at age 52, police said Wednesday. Berry died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles of apparent natural causes, police Officer Jason Lee said. The county coroner was investigating the exact nature of the death, but friends said Berry had been in ill health due to a recent stroke. He wore his red beret and suspenders in real life, and it was unclear whether he originally brought his own style to the character of Rerun or whether he was forever mimicking the character that made him famous. Rerun was a 1970s version of latter-day goofball TV characters like Steve Urkel from "Family Matters": loud, a little whiny, a little dim and definitely geeky. "What's Happening!", which ran from 1976-1979, focused on three teenage friends - Rerun, Raj and Dwayne - who learn about life, women and trouble while growing up in Los Angeles. Among the more famous episodes was one in which Rerun joined a bizarre cult and another in which he got busted for making bootlegged tapes of a Doobie Brothers concert. The name Rerun, according to Berry, referred to the character's brainlessness: In the summer, he had to rerun all the classes he failed during the school year. Berry's success on the show was clouded by his heavy use of marijuana and cocaine. "There were dealers right there in the studio, people that worked there," he said in 1996. "In the '70s, it was like that on a lot of TV shows. It was the Hollywood lifestyle then. Everybody was doing it." By the time "What's Happening!" ended, Berry said he had blown more than a million dollars on drugs, cars, homes and an airplane. With no acting jobs heading his way, Berry tried to live off his fame by charging to appear at shopping malls. Even later in life, he was still cashing in: lately, he earned money by calling fans on the telephone with the service www.HollywoodIsCalling.com. About $30 would earn a fan a 30 second call. Berry's love life was another complication. He married a dancer while in his 20s, and the two divorced, remarried and divorced again. Berry repeated that performance with his second wife, whom he married and divorced twice (most recently in 1991). He also married and divorced two other women. Rerun brought Berry another brief moment of success in 1985, when "What's Happening!" was revived as the syndicated "What's Happening Now!" Berry quit in a contract dispute after the first season and the show ended in 1987. By 1986, Berry says, he abandoned drugs and started to speak at churches, schools and other groups, finally working as a minister in Madison, Ala., at the New Shiloh Church Ministry. He was still dabbling in show business. Berry recently appeared on the TV shows "Star Dates" on the E! Entertainment Network, MTV's "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle" with Snoop Dogg and in a cameo role in the David Spade comedy film "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star." Funeral services were unclear late Wednesday.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

10-22-2003, 08:15 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	From E! online.com Fred "Rerun" Berry Dead by Joal Ryan Oct 22, 2003, 3:25 PM PT Fred Berry was well into his 20s when he was cast as a high schooler on the 1970s sitcom What's Happening!! Well into middle age, he was still playing the role. Berry, who portrayed the beret-wearing, suspender-clad teen known as Rerun on the 1976-79 series and was rarely without his signature accessories during the nearly quarter-century since, was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment Tuesday, E! has learned. He was 52. Berry's agent, Arlene Thorton, says the actor died in his bed sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The Los Angeles coroner is planning to perform an autopsy to determine cause of death. There were no signs of foul play, Thorton said. Berry recently cameoed in the David Spade comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star and looked for love on E!'s Star Dates. According to IMDb.com, Berry was a veteran groom, marrying six times to four women. He played himself in an episode of NBC's Scrubs last April. Per usual, he wore the Rerun red beret and the Rerun red suspenders. Until recently, Berry had been one of the on-demand telephone friends for the new service HollywoodIsCalling.com. "I bet you that I've made more calls than anyone on this service," Berry told the Washington Post in August. Never able to shake the role that made him famous, Berry reprised his Rerun self in 1985-86 for the updated What's Happening!! series, What's Happening Now!

10-22-2003, 08:35 PM	#3
donald snl Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2003 Posts: 456	we will all miss you thanks for being a part of our growing up

10-22-2003, 08:55 PM	#6
jcardenas Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 08, 2003 Posts: 23	I just heard! God bless him. He was great!

10-22-2003, 11:13 PM	#9
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	Sad News!

10-22-2003, 11:17 PM	#10
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	This is just crazy. I saw him this summer on E. Goodbye Rerun. R.I.P.
	__________________ Sonny

10-23-2003, 08:38 AM	#11
hoosierelvisfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Location: I do not like TV Land any longer!!!!! Posts: 467	Very Sad This is very sad and unexpected. 2003 has not been a good year for celebrities. It seems that so many have died this past year. What's Happening was definitely one of my favorite shows during its' original run. I used to watch it every week. Rerun definitely made that show. He had an awesome character. Signed, Respectfully, Dutch

10-23-2003, 09:42 AM	#12
El_Presidente Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: Capital Of The World (NYC) Posts: 57	Yeah bad..Bob Hope and Kate Hepburn. Ritter, Bronson, Gregory Hines, John Entwhistle, June Carter & Johnny Cash, Richard Simmons and now my fave sitcom actor ever. Fred Berry. A sweet, loveable fellow. I am kinda down now.
	Last edited by El_Presidente; 10-23-2003 at 10:56 AM.

10-23-2003, 10:55 AM	#14
El_Presidente Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: Capital Of The World (NYC) Posts: 57	Man I am sorry, Mr Entwhistle died last year. Correct. In re: Richard Simmons: One can dream, can't one?